Vladimir Putin leaves G20 summit citing a need to catch up on sleep

Latika Bourke

Vladimir Putin has left the G20 summit citing a need to catch up on sleep, after the Kremlin played down reports the Russian President was leaving due to the frosty reception awarded to him by other world leaders over Ukraine.

The Russian President said he needed to catch up on sleep before work on Monday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Despite Mr Abbott's shirtfront threat setting the scene for the two leader's encounter in Australia, President Putin departed Brisbane on Sunday praising his Australian counterpart while Mr Abbott acknowledged he had treated Mr Putin with courtesy as he was a guest of Australia.

Mr Abbott earlier this week sought Russian compensation and demanded Mr Putin apologise to victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which was shot down over Eastern Ukraine in July.

Advertisement

While Mr Abbott, as host of the 2014 G20, cuddled a koala alongside Mr Putin, conservative world leaders including Britain's David Cameron, Canada's Stephen Harper and Germany's Angela Merkel delivered stern words to the Russian leader over Ukraine.

Mr Abbott said the G20 and APEC forums had provided world leaders the opportunity to confront Russia.

"When all is said and done President Putin was a guest in our country, President Putin is a member of the G20 and I was happy to treat him with respect and courtesy while he was here in Australia," he told reporters.

Mr Putin praised Mr Abbott as a "specific" and "business-like person" and credited him with creating a "wonderful atmosphere" in Brisbane.

"Our host, Mr Prime Minister, I would like to say again that he created a very wonderful atmosphere for working together. Of course, our views are not the same in some issues, but we had some very substantive conversations and I think it was helpful.

"We had a very detailed and professional conversation. Very disciplined. He made sure everyone stayed on schedule, but also provided an opportunity for everyone to say something," he told Russian reporters before departing Australia.

A Russian journalist later informed Mr Abbott of the President's praise to which the clearly amused prime minister replied, "I'm very happy to be on a unity ticket with Vladmir Putin on that subject".

Mr Putin held a farewell media conference at the Hilton hotel but many Australian journalists who attempted to attend were blocked from accessing Mr Putin's address.

The Russian leader was snubbed on arrival in Brisbane when the government sent one of the ministry's most junior members, the Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert, to greet him.

In comparison, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Attorney-General George Brandis welcomed other leaders.